The Nifty Fifty: Top Performers In The Quarterfinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of the outstanding performers from the quarterfinal round from the 2024 high school football playoffs:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137388' first='Daniel' last='Amaro'], Las Cruces</strong>: Amaro has been the Bulldawgs' workhorse RB all season long and he did it again against Volcano Vista, carrying 30 times for 115 yards and 2 YD in the road win over the Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615673' first='Alfredo' last='Andrade'], Gadsden</strong>: Rushed for 2 TD in the second half of Gadsden's win over Los Alamos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'], Rio Rancho</strong>: In the final game of his career, Arellano threw for 283 yards and 2 TD in the Rams' loss at Centennial. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matthew Cao, NMMI</strong>: Led a balanced rushing attack for the Colts with 80 yards on 13 carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154948' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter'], St. Pius X</strong>: Threw for 261 yards and 3 TD on 15-of-22 passing and rushed for another score to lead the Sartans' prolific offensive attack (446 total yards) against Grants. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615632' first='Uriel' last='Castro'], Bernalillo</strong>: As the Spartans' QB, he completed 14-of-19 passes for 224 yards and 4 TD in Bernalillo's win over Chaparral. As a defender, he intercepted a pass, defended a pass and made 3 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1432984' first='Izac' last='Cazares'], Artesia</strong>: Threw for a TD and ran for a TD in Artesia's big win over Lovington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Colter, Eunice</strong>: Had 4 QBs sacks in Eunice's win at Tularosa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854312' first='Josh' last='Cordova'], Santa Rosa</strong>: Scored both of the Lions' TDs in their 14-12 victory over Raton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118257' first='Ethan' last='Conn'], Artesia</strong>: Returned a kickoff 91 yards for a TD and caught 3 passes for 65 yards in Artesia's big win over Lovington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154956' first='Cayl' last='Cox-Liggins'], St. Pius X</strong>: Caught 6 passes for 123 yards and 1 TD in the Sartans' win over Grants.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tristan Davis, Hobbs</strong>: Made 10 tackles in a loss to La Cueva.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613746' first='Zaiden' last='Davis'], Centennial</strong>: Davis did what he usually does – beat teams with his legs. He had 2 rushing TD in the Hawks' win over Rio Rancho. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853063' first='Isaiah' last='Dominguez'], St. Michael's</strong>: Scored 2 TD in the Horsemen's mercy-rule win over Thoreau.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853022' first='Peyton' last='Duncan'], Bloomfield</strong>: Rushed for 143 yards on just 5 carries in Bloomfield's mercy-rule win over Valencia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'], La Cueva</strong>: Committed to Arizona State, Dyer is one of the most dynamic players in NM and he showed why again on Saturday by rushing for three long TDs and passing for 3 more – accounting for 6 TD in all - as the Bears routed Hobbs. Dyer finished with over 250 yards rushing and 150 yards passing. obbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594652' first='Nathan' last='Encinias'], Bernalillo</strong>: Rushed for 149 yards on 17 carries + 2 receptions for 33 yards + 5 tackles on defense with 2.0 TFL, 1 INT and 3 QB hurries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119205' first='Alex' last='Fuentes'], Texico</strong>: Scored 3 TD, including a 65-yard punt return, in Texico's mercy-rule win over Navajo Prep. Also had two rushing TD as Texico rushed for over 200 yards in just one half of football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119120' first='Kaesn' last='George'], Dexter</strong>: Caught 4 passes for 103 yards + 72 yards in kick returns in the Demons' lopsided win over Hatch Valley. Finished with 190 total yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266523' first='Isaac' last='Gomez'], Las Cruces</strong>: Six passes defended and 3 tackles as he sparked the Bulldawgs' pass defense against Volcano Vista, which managed just 92 passing yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594136' first='Landon' last='Greene'], La Cueva</strong>: Had a 75-yard Pick-6 interception return for a TD in the first half for La Cueva. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615560' first='Jesse' last='James Gonzales'], Robertson</strong>: In the 1^st quarter alone against West Las Vegas, Gonzales race 34 yards for a TD and intercepted a pass on defense that led to a field goal and a 17-0 early lead for the Cardinals. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155032' first='CJ' last='Granados'], Dexter</strong>: Threw for 211 yards and 3 TD in Dexter's mercy-rule win over Hatch Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Hatch, Cleveland</strong>: Completed 12-of-19 passes for 247 yards and 3 TD in the Storm's mercy-rule win over Los Lunas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1193983' first='Michael' last='Haynes'], Cleveland</strong>: Had a 91-yard Pick-6 interception return for TD + 4 tackles in the Storm's win over Los Lunas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1257289' first='Luke' last='Linnan'], Mayfield</strong>: Quarterbacked the Trojans to a road win at Deming, scoring the clinching TD late in the third quarter. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='280925' first='Jordan' last='Lucas'], Centennial</strong>: Rushed for 2 TD, including a game-clinching 70-yarder, to spark Centennial past Rio Rancho. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cheeto Lumbrera, La Cueva</strong>: Ran for a TD and caught a 22-yard swing pass for another in La Cueva's big win against Hobbs. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tegin Maloney, NMMI</strong>: Team-high 9 tackles and 1 TFL in the win over Socorro.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599942' first='Leonard' last='Martinez'], Espanola Valley</strong>: Martines has been Espanola Valley's ‘go-to' RB in these playoffs. In the win over Taos, he rushed for 112 yards and 2 TD on 17 carries. &nbsp;Defensively, he had 3 passes defended, 1 QB hurry and a forced fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854273' first='Elijah' last='Melancon'], Eunice</strong>: Threw for 126 yards, rushed for 92 yards and accounted for 4 TD in Eunice's big win at Tularosa. Melancon, a junior, now has 7,691 passing yards and 111 passing TD in his career with 1 season left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615568' first='Lee' last='Miller'], Bernalillo</strong>: 3 TFL and 1 sack in the Spartans' win over Chaparral.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano'], La Cueva</strong>: Caught 2 TD passes in la Cueva's win over Hobbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615425' first='Amiri' last='Mumba'], Highland</strong>: Concluded his distinguished career with 100 hard-earned yards on 28 carries against the rugged Roswell defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119637' first='Adrian' last='Munoz'], Gadsden</strong>: Threw 3 TD passes, two to [player_tooltip player_id='1155087' first='Anthony' last='Palomares'], to lead the Panthers past Los Alamos</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611120' first='Juan' last='Munoz'], Cleveland</strong>: Rushed for 65 yards, caught 2 passes for 114 yards and scored 2 TD in Cleveland's lopsided win over Los Lunas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613184' first='Isaiah' last='Ocampo'], Socorro</strong>: In the final game of his distinguished career, Ocampo put his elite dual threat QB skills on full display, throwing for 231 yards and 2 TD while rushing for 135 yards in a loss to NMMI.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154954' first='Hershul' last='Olloway'], St. Pius X</strong>: Rushed for 135 yards and 2 TD on 18 carries as St. Pius X beat Grants.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137875' first='Tristen' last='Onsurez'], Loving</strong>: Did it all for the Falcons in their win over Legacy Academy. Passed for 156 yards and 1 TD while rushing for 103 yards and 4 TD on 23 carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854308' first='Isaiah' last='Ortega'], Grants</strong>: Intercepted four St. Pius X passes in the Pirates loss to the Sartans. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267030' first='Kolbe' last='Padilla'], St. Pius X</strong>: Led the Sartans' defense against Grants with 8 tackles and 2.0 TFL &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Palomino, Roswell</strong>: Threw 2 TD and ran for another in Roswell's big win over Highland at the Wool Bowl.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615555' first='CJ' last='Perea'], West Las Vegas</strong>: Threw for 133 yards in a loss to crosstown rival Robertson to finish his stellar career with 8,158 passing yards and&nbsp; 77 TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259000' first='Jace' last='Pitt'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Caught 8 passes for 134 yards and 1 TD in the Rams' loss at Centennial. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155310' first='Fernando' last='Prieto'], Dexter</strong>: Collected 11 tackles, 2.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks in Dexter's big win over Hatch Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613284' first='George' last='Smith'], Robertson</strong>: The dynamic freshman rushed for a TD in the 1^st quarter and returned the second half kickoff 65 yards for a TD. He added a rushing TD in the 3^rd quarter. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672806' first='Marco' last='Soto Jr.'], Artesia</strong>: 7 tackles, 1.0 TFL and 1.0 sacks in Artesia's win over Lovington.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615635' first='Blake' last='Spencer'], Bloomfield</strong>: Threw for 134 yards and 2 TD in just one half of football as Bloomfield rolled past Valencia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1258088' first='Abey' last='Toscano'], Roswell</strong>: Scored 2 TD in Roswell's shutout win over Highland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Denton Walter, Las Cruces</strong>: Walter made 14 tackles, 1.0 sack and 1 QB hurry &nbsp;to lead a Bulldawgs defense that limited Volcano Vista to a field goal. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bennett Whalen, Texico</strong>: The Wolverines' QB scored 2 TD in the mercy-rule win over Navajo Prep. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615650' first='Eljan' last='Woods'], Eunice</strong>: Rushed for 160 yards on a workhorse 26 carries to lift Eunice past Tularosa. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On to the semifinals—still more work to do!<br><br>3️⃣ pancakes <br><br>0️⃣ sacks allowed <a href="https://twitter.com/LaCuevaFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaCuevaFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/t0D0r5NYHx">https://t.co/t0D0r5NYHx</a></p>&mdash; Skyler (Sarge) Sargent 7️⃣8️⃣ (@SSarge2026) <a href="https://twitter.com/SSarge2026/status/1857949091252023665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">quarter final Playoff highlights<br>57-7 win vs Los Lunas. <br>12/19 passing<br>247 yrds <br>3 TD&#039;s<a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_RGarza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RGarza</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Ridenour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Ridenour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MooseB90?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MooseB90</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsPrimo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SportsPrimo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamDiehl15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AdamDiehl15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jchester17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jchester17</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesDYodice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamesDYodice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SebastianNoel47?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SebastianNoel47</a> <a href="https://t.co/sJmd2pBIgU">https://t.co/sJmd2pBIgU</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='851873' first='Jordan' last='Kekoa Hatch'] (@Kekoa1_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kekoa1_/status/1858194808675676661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Carlos_Barela94?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Carlos_Barela94</a> has been a problem all season Saturday was no different <br>Next up semi final game <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/NFC9nP3lZY">pic.twitter.com/NFC9nP3lZY</a></p>&mdash; Tony McCoy (@tony_mccoy3) <a href="https://twitter.com/tony_mccoy3/status/1858515291040354307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'] Senior season highlights and stats!<br>1876 Passing Yards<br>23 Passing Tds<br>103.4 QBR<br>435 Rushing Yards <br>6 Rushing Tds<br>9 Games Played 4 Full Games Played<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RR_Rams_Athlete?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RR_Rams_Athlete</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrudikJd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrudikJd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/thatchercoach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thatchercoach</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a> <a href="https://t.co/W8rpqtgjiv">https://t.co/W8rpqtgjiv</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'] (@j1arellano) <a href="https://twitter.com/j1arellano/status/1858540857936253066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Senior Highlights<br>#66 defensive tackle<br>47 tackles<br>10 QB Hurries<br>1 pass deflection<br>1 field goal block<a href="https://twitter.com/johnmikesalazar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@johnmikesalazar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CHSJagsFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CHSJagsFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wrzve4dd7h">https://t.co/Wrzve4dd7h</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1257299' first='Ryan' last='Garcia'] (@RyanGarcia70) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanGarcia70/status/1857989114382954938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hear from Gadsden's [player_tooltip player_id='1155087' first='Anthony' last='Palomares'] who caught 2 TD passes in Class 5A playoff win on Saturday vs Los Alamos <a href="https://t.co/OfS8PaHecw">pic.twitter.com/OfS8PaHecw</a></p>&mdash; Felix Chavez (@Fchavezeptimes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fchavezeptimes/status/1857942367090680184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='615555' first='CJ' last='Perea'] has finished his High School career<br>Total Career Passing Yardage #8 in New Mexico All-Time with 8,245 official number tomorrow<br>WLV Record holder for <br>Passing yards and Touchdowns<br>District 2 AAA All Time leading passer<a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_NMAA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Westlasvegasfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Westlasvegasfb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/lasvegasoptic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lasvegasoptic</a> <a href="https://t.co/H1tL29I5KB">pic.twitter.com/H1tL29I5KB</a></p>&mdash; Coach Carlos (@CoachCarlos62) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachCarlos62/status/1857929064218308950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->